Hey, Hoynsie: How is Vinnie Pestano doing this off-season? Will he be back at 100 percent next year? He is a key link to the Tribe’s success. – Mike Wash, Chardon.

Hey, Mike: Pestano lives in Goodyear, Ariz., site of the Indians' spring training complex, and has been a regular visitor at the facility as he trains for next season. GM Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona say Pestano is motivated to rebound from the trials and tribulations of last season.

Like you, they both agree he can be a key part to their revamped bullpen if he can once again be the pitcher he was in 2011 and 2012.

Hey, Hoynsie: After a 92-win season and a playoff appearance, the Tribe really hasn't gotten much better during the off-season. Most of us want instant results, but do you think if the front office made the team better through free agency or trades, more fans would be at the ballpark next year? Or is it just a depressed city and bad economy?

I know that last year with Terry Francona, Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher, I as a fan really got excited to go to the ballpark and watch. – Thomas Ryan, Fostoria.

Hey, Thomas: Based on last year, you’d have to say that the Indians made significant upgrades, produced a fine season, but were pretty much ignored by the paying public. Perhaps that’s played a part in what GM Chris Antonetti has had to work with. Remember, they outspent teams such as the Yankees last year in signing Bourn, Swisher, Brett Myers and Mark Reynolds.

One more thing, the off-season is far from over. Last year, the Indians didn’t make their big moves until after the winter meetings. Remember, they didn’t sign Bourn until February. It’s a long way to opening day.

Hey, Tom: I think it’s going to be difficult. This is Masterson’s walk year. If he can stay healthy and build off last season, he’s going to be in a great spot as a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.

Then again, Masterson is very much an independent thinker. He likes pitching for Terry Francona and enjoys his role on the club. I think it’s going to depend on what kind of offer the Indians make him this off-season and whether or not he feels ownership and the front office are doing all they can to make the Indians a playoff team.

Hey, Hoynsie: I've heard several MLB teams think Jose Ramirez has a higher ceiling than Francisco Lindor. Is this true and if so where does their evaluation differ from the Tribe's? – Justin King, Columbus.

Hey, Justin: I have no idea how other teams grade Ramirez and Lindor. I saw them in spring training last year and they were exciting to watch. Unfortunately, Ramirez’s chances of making the big-league club out of camp in 2014 suffered a setback when he underwent reconstructive surgery on his left thumb last week. Lindor is coming off his own injury, a stress fracture in his back, but indications are he’ll be invited to big-league camp.

Right now the Indians have $2.9 million invested in Lindor as their No.1 pick in 2011. They signed Ramirez as an undrafted free agent in the Dominican Republic in 2009. That should tell you something right there.

Hey, Hoynsie: Is Jose Ramirez a viable option to start third base in the event that Lonnie Chisenhall doesn't get his kinks worked out? He looked really good last September and it doesn't look like second base will be opening up any time soon (I hope!). The shortstop pipeline is jammed up as well. Third base looks like his remaining destination if he's to make the roster beyond the bench. – Bobby Reichert, La Crosse, Wis.

Hey, Bobby: As you know by now, Ramirez isn’t an option for anything at the moment. He’ll be sidelined for the next eight to 12 weeks.

I know he’s played third a little, but to me he looks more like a middle infielder. The Indians are gathering options if Chisenhall flops – Mike Aviles, Carlos Santana, David Adams. You can add Ramirez’s name to the list if you prefer.

Hey, Hoynsie: There were lots of rumors last year about the Tribe possibly trading Asdrubal Cabrera. Do you think they might try to move him before spring training and what could they get in return for him? Also, any chance Ubaldo Jimenez returns to the Tribe due to the draft pick tied to signing him? -- Bob Price, Erie, Pa.

Hey, Bob: I think the Indians are in the same position with Cabrera that they are with Justin Masterson. They both can be free agents at the end of the year. They are currently gauging the interest other teams have in each player, but probably feel they’re a better club with them than without.

If the Indians do trade Cabrera, they would have to get pitching in return.

The market has been slow to develop on Jimenez in part because of the draft pick compensation. The Indians have stayed in contact with his agents at SFX, but I still think he'll be wearing a different uniform next year.

Hey, Hoynsie: Will the Indians take a look at Erik Bedard? He looks a lot like Scott Kazmir to me. – Adam Primm, Strongsville.

Hey, Adam: Bedard looks like a trip to the disabled list to me. If I’m the Indians, I take a pass.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you know if the Indians were involved with the Rajai Davis negotiations? Davis hit .300/.362/.453 in nearly 300 plate appearances against lefties in the last two seasons. Plus, according to FanGraphs, he ranked second in the majors in run value from baserunning last year (behind only Jacoby Ellsbury). Despite his speed, he's below league average defensively, but could form an interesting platoon with Michael Brantley and Michael Bourn, and could open the door for the Indians to trade Drew Stubs for pitching depth. – David Bruno, Chicago.

Hey, David: Davis has always played well against the Indians, but the Tribe wasn’t in on him before he signed with the Tigers. They have a ton of outfielders and they were looking to improve against right-handed pitching, not left-handed pitching. That’s why they signed David Murphy.

If the Indians signed Davis to platoon with Michael Bourn, do you think Paul Dolan might want to know why he signed Bourn to a four-year, $48 million contract to be a part-time player?

Hey, Hoynsie: Any chance the Indians consider Barry Zito? I could see him as this year's Scott Kazmir. Even if he doesn't find his old form as a starter, he could be a lefty in the pen. I have absolutely no faith in Nick Hagadone. – Chris Stevens, Painesville.

Hey, Chris: If think the Indians are more concerned about the bullpen than the rotation right now. As for Hagadone, I think he’s going to have a good year.

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